Carroll girls extend state’s longest regional title streak

Lady Chargers win West Noble Regional for 12th straight title

LIGONIER _ The Carroll girl’s cross country dynasty flexed its muscles once more Saturday at the West Noble Regional. The No. 3-ranked Lady Chargers easily won and with the victory extended the longest current regional title streak in the state to 12.

Carroll won not with front runners, but with its depth by placing all five scorers on the All-Region Team (top 15), and easily out-paced runner-up Concordia, 53-97. The top five teams advance to this Saturday’s New Haven Semi-state to be held at The Plex in Fort Wayne. Also advancing were Homestead (101), Fremont (127) and DeKalb (161).

Individually, the race was won by Fremont’s Anna Aldrich in 18 minutes and 24 seconds. Runner-up was Concordia’s Marina Konow in 18:49.

Carroll was led by freshman Madison Fruchey, who finished sixth in 19:06.

Carroll also won the boy’s meet despite not having the services of it’s top runner, Jon Harper. So the Chargers followed their female counterparts and won with depth and also placed all five scorers in the top 15. Eric Claxton led the Chargers with a sixth-place finish. Carroll won the meet with 40 points. Bishop Dwenger was runner-up with 80 points. Also advancing to Saturday’s Semi-state are Homestead (91), West Noble (106) and Concordia (112).

The race was won by Concordia’s Zach Panning in 15:35; DeKalb’s Mark Beckman was runner-up in 15:54.

MARION REGIONAL

Huntington North swept the team titles at Indiana Wesleyan University. The Vikings clipped South Adams (73-76) while the Lady Vikings won easily with 42 points. Area teams advancing to the New Haven Semi-state defeated were the South Side boys (fifth), Bellmont girls (third) and the Norwell girls (fifth).

The girl’s race was won by Northfield’s Jenna Halderman in 18:43. New Haven’s Brenda Diaz was runner-up in 19:03. The boy’s race was won by Northfield’s Caleb Augustus in 16:01.